Back pain is one of the most common and disabling health problems in the United States, affecting millions of people each year. It can range from occasional discomfort to chronic, life-disrupting pain—and for many, the path to relief isn’t always straightforward.
At Complete Chiropractic Sports and Wellness in Durham, we take a holistic back pain treatment approach that goes beyond temporary fixes. Instead of simply masking pain with medications or relying on invasive procedures, we focus on addressing the root causes. One of our core offerings—spinal decompression therapy—plays a central role in this approach. But it’s not the only tool we use. By combining decompression with cold laser therapy, shockwave therapy, supplementation, and functional rehabilitation, we offer a well-rounded plan that supports healing, reduces inflammation, and helps prevent future injury.
In this article, we’ll explore how spinal decompression fits into a broader strategy for long-term spine health—and how a truly holistic approach can help you return to the life you love.
Understanding Holistic Back Pain Treatment
The term “holistic” gets used a lot, but in our clinic, it means something very specific. A holistic back pain treatment plan doesn’t just focus on symptoms—it looks at your entire musculoskeletal and nervous system, your movement patterns, lifestyle factors, and overall health history.
This integrative perspective is especially important with back pain, which often has multiple contributing factors: poor posture, muscular imbalances, disc degeneration, repetitive motion injuries, or even chronic stress. By addressing these factors together, instead of in isolation, we can build a more effective and sustainable recovery plan.
This is the foundation of how we practice at Complete Chiropractic Sports and Wellness in Durham. Each patient is unique, and your treatment plan should reflect that.
What Is Spinal Decompression?
Spinal decompression therapy is a non-surgical, motorized traction treatment designed to relieve pressure on spinal discs and nerves. During treatment, the spine is gently stretched using a specialized decompression table, creating negative pressure within the discs. This helps:
- Retract herniated or bulging disc material
- Relieve pressure on nerves (often the source of sciatica or radiating pain)
- Improve blood flow and nutrient delivery to injured areas and stretch affected muscles
- Create space between vertebrae, reducing compression-related pain
Unlike traditional traction, decompression is precise and computer-controlled, allowing us to tailor the angle and pressure based on your condition.
This therapy is commonly used to treat conditions such as:
- Herniated or bulging discs
- Degenerative disc disease
- Sciatica or nerve impingement
- Spinal stenosis
- Chronic lower back or neck pain
Our Durham spinal decompression therapy sessions are typically 15–30 minutes and are often paired with other therapies for maximum effectiveness.
Why Decompression Alone Isn’t Always Enough
While spinal decompression is highly effective, it works best when integrated into a comprehensive care plan. Back pain isn’t just about compressed discs—it’s also about surrounding tissue health, muscle function, inflammation levels, and even the nervous system’s response to stress.
This is where a multi-therapy approach really shines. At Complete Chiropractic Sports and Wellness, we pair decompression with complementary treatments that enhance tissue healing, reduce inflammation, and strengthen the spine’s support system.
Let’s take a closer look at some of these therapies.
Cold Laser Therapy: Cellular-Level Healing
Cold laser therapy (also known as low-level laser therapy or LLLT) uses focused light energy to penetrate deep into tissues. It stimulates cellular activity and boosts the body’s natural healing processes by:
- Increasing ATP (energy) production in cells
- Reducing inflammation and edema
- Accelerating tissue repair
- Improving lymphatic drainage
For patients with chronic or acute back pain, cold laser therapy is particularly useful in calming inflamed tissue and promoting faster healing—especially when nerve root irritation is involved. It’s painless, non-invasive, and typically lasts just a few minutes per session.
We often use laser therapy before or after decompression to enhance its effects. Learn more about how this works on our cold laser therapy page.
Functional Therapy: Rebuilding Strength and Stability
Once inflammation has been reduced and pressure relieved, the next step is to retrain your body to move correctly. That’s where functional therapy comes in.
This form of therapy focuses on:
- Core strengthening
- Postural correction
- Joint mobility
- Balance and coordination
- Neuromuscular re-education
Many back pain cases stem from movement dysfunction—how you sit, stand, lift, or walk. Our functional rehabilitation program is designed to restore normal movement and build the resilience needed to keep pain from returning.
We tailor exercise programs based on your mobility level, job demands, and personal goals. Whether you’re an athlete recovering from a disc injury or a parent dealing with chronic sciatica, we help you rebuild with intention.
A Real-World Example: Combining Therapies for Results
One patient recently came to our clinic with years of chronic lower back pain following a car accident. She had tried physical therapy, injections, and medications—none of which provided lasting relief.
We designed a care plan centered around spinal decompression, supported by cold laser/shockwave therapy (to break adhesions, increase blood and lymphatic flow, and reduce inflammation in surrounding tissues), supplementation (to address nutritional deficiencies), and functional therapy to improve her movement patterns.
Over the course of 8 weeks, her pain scores dropped by 100% (with zero symptoms) and she was able to resume daily activities without relying on pain meds. More importantly, she gained the confidence and tools to manage her spine health long term.
This kind of result is why we believe so strongly in holistic care. Each therapy adds a layer of support—and together, they help create lasting change.
The Problem with One-Size-Fits-All Treatments
Traditional care models often rely on a “wait-and-see” approach or short-term interventions like muscle relaxers and steroid shots. While those may provide temporary relief, they don’t solve the problem at its core.
That’s why our team invests the time to evaluate your condition fully, understand your goals, and create a treatment plan that makes sense for your body and lifestyle. Whether your issue is structural, muscular, or neurological in nature—we’ll address it from multiple angles.
We also coordinate closely with patients’ primary care providers or specialists when needed to ensure seamless care.
How to Know If a Holistic Plan Is Right for You
If you’ve been living with back pain that comes and goes—or worse, never really goes away—it’s worth considering a holistic back pain treatment plan.
This approach is especially helpful for people who:
- Have recurring episodes of back pain
- Want to avoid surgery or injections
- Prefer drug-free solutions
- Are looking for long-term results, not just symptom relief
- Have tried single-therapy approaches with limited success
At Complete Chiropractic Sports and Wellness in Durham, we’ll perform a comprehensive exam and discuss your history to determine whether spinal decompression and integrative care are appropriate for you.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
Your first appointment will include a detailed consultation, orthopedic and neurological testing, and imaging if needed. We’ll explain your diagnosis clearly, discuss your goals, and walk you through your treatment options step by step.
There’s no pressure—just a collaborative plan built for you.
We pride ourselves on being transparent, communicative, and results-driven. Your progress will be tracked at every stage, and adjustments will be made throughout your treatment plan to keep you moving forward.
